What Should You Do Immediately After a Slip and Fall Accident?

Slip-and-fall accidents can devastate victims physically, emotionally, and even financially. Fort Lee property owners and businesses must comply with state and federal regulations to keep their premises safe and equipped with the latest safety devices. New Jersey personal injury laws allow slip-and-fall victims in Fort Lee to collect compensation.

If you have suffered injuries in a fall due to the negligence of a property owner or local business, a Fort Lee slip and fall lawyer can help you protect your rights and reclaim control over your future by pursuing compensation for injuries and other damages.

The steps you take after your slip-and-fall accident are significantly vital for your immediate physical well-being and future legal recourse. These steps include:

Seeking Immediate Medical Care

After a fall, it is crucial to prioritize your well-being. If you have suffered severe injuries, call 911 for an emergency response to minimize the injuries’ impact. Visit a hospital for a thorough physical check-up, even if your injuries seem minor. Minor symptoms can quickly become chronic issues, having long-lasting implications.

One of the first things insurers and opposing lawyers try to determine is whether or not a slip-and-fall victim sought immediate medical care after a fall. Prompt medical care establishes a medical record that your lawyer can utilize as evidence in future legal proceedings. The testing techniques doctors use to diagnose injuries from a fall include physical examinations, X-rays, CT Scans, medical ultrasounds, and MRIs.

Your treating doctor will create a treatment plan for restoring your health after an accurate diagnosis of your medical conditions. It’s crucial to adhere to the medical treatment plan. Any deviation from following the treatment plan will be used as possible evidence to argue that your injuries are not as severe as you claim.

Document The Accident Scene

If possible, document the scene of your fall. Use your smartphone to take images or videos of the location of the fall, hazardous conditions prevailing, and other contributing factors to your fall. Preserve the clothing and footwear from the fall. Your lawyers can use these items as evidence to prove liability and the extent of injuries and damages.

Report The Fall

Notify the property owner or the manager of the business to ensure they know the occurrence of your fall. If your fall occurs in a public place or government building, report the incident to the local authorities. Seek an incident report stating the details of the incident,  the extent and severity of your injuries, and property damage.

An incident report serves as an official record of the accident. It contains a detailed description of the fall, the circumstances that led to it,  the conditions prevailing at the accident site, and the actions taken by the property owner in the immediate aftermath of the fall.

Avoid Making Mistakes That Can Harm Your Health or Future Legal Recourse

After your slip-and-fall accident, avoid specific actions in the best interests of your health and legal rights. These actions include admitting fault for your fall,  arguing or getting into confrontations with property owners or their representatives, neglecting or delaying seeking medical attention, downplaying or exaggerating injuries, failing to report the accident to proper authorities, and not documenting the accident scene.

In the aftermath of your slip-and-fall accident, you should exercise extreme caution when using social media platforms. Avoid posting details of your slip-and-fall accident on social media outlets. The opposing party can argue that you were in good enough physical shape to take and post images after the accident. Slip-and-fall victims should avoid indulging in social or sporting activities that can raise doubts about the severity of their injuries.

Avoid Settling For Less

Insurance companies try to settle cases before victims seek expert legal representation. Mounting medical bills and other expenses can tempt accident victims to settle quickly. Insurance companies are financial entities incorporated to earn profits and minimize losses. Accepting an initial settlement offer could leave victims with funds insufficient to cover future treatments and rehabilitation. An experienced lawyer can value your claim accurately by compiling key evidence. The best lawyers possess significant experience and skills to negotiate favorable settlements.

Consult A Slip-and-fall Accident Lawyer

Consulting a personal injury lawyer with expertise in slip-and-fall accidents can help victims explore the various legal options available to recover compensation.  The lawyer will assess the circumstances that led to your fall,  help you understand your legal rights, familiarize you with the potential legal actions, and help you make an informed decision and avoid wrong moves.

Contact A Distinguished Fort Lee Slip-and-fall Accident Lawyer

In the immediate aftermath of a slip-and-fall accident, it is critical for a victim to take the proper steps and avoid pitfalls that can harm their physical health or legal rights.  A lawyer can help you do that and also negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf. 

Proof of the accident victim’s partial negligence will not bar a claim entirely, but it could reduce the amount of overall compensation. Call a slip-and-fall attorney to schedule a free case evaluation right away.